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I have recently discovered that the HU 613 radio in my 2003 XC70 has some hidden menus that Volvo didn't tell me about and was NOT in my owners manual. It turns out there's equalizer setiings for both the front and rear speakers. It made my stereo sound much, much better!! There's also some other hidden menus that control certain radio settings but I would suggest not to mess with them. I've listed below how to access and adjust the hidden equalizer only.

Before you adjust the front and rear speakers equalization or tone you should know, the front speakers have 4 frequencies (L1 Low bass, L2 Mid bass, Mid, & High) and the back speakers have just 3 frequencies (Bass, Mid & High) that can be adjusted.This menu can be accessed on my 2003 XC70 by doing the following:

Make sure key is in and turned to accessory position so the radio wil have power available, then

With radio off, press and hold the source button.Then, press and release the Volume/on/off button.Continue holding the source button.In a few seconds the Equalizer Menu will appear.

Press the source button to change which frequency you want to adjust and turn the source button the adjust how much you want to boost or cut a particular frequency.

To save your settings, simply turn off the radio.

Hint: Turn your fader control to full front while adjusting the front speakers and then to full back while adjusting the back speakers. Makes it easier the hear your EQ changes.

I have recently discovered that the HU 613 radio in my 2003 XC70 has some hidden menus that Volvo didn't tell me about and was NOT in my owners manual. It turns out there's equalizer setiings for both the front and rear speakers. It made my stereo sound much, much better!! There's also some other hidden menus that control certain radio settings but I would suggest not to mess with them. I've listed below how to access and adjust the hidden equalizer only.

Before you adjust the front and rear speakers equalization or tone you should know, the front speakers have 4 frequencies (L1 Low bass, L2 Mid bass, Mid, & High) and the back speakers have just 3 frequencies (Bass, Mid & High) that can be adjusted.This menu can be accessed on my 2003 XC70 by doing the following:

Make sure key is in and turned to accessory position so the radio wil have power available, then

With radio off, press and hold the source button.Then, press and release the Volume/on/off button.Continue holding the source button.In a few seconds the Equalizer Menu will appear.

Press the source button to change which frequency you want to adjust and turn the source button the adjust how much you want to boost or cut a particular frequency.

To save your settings, simply turn off the radio.

Hint: Turn your fader control to full front while adjusting the front speakers and then to full back while adjusting the back speakers. Makes it easier the hear your EQ changes.

THIS MADE A HUGH DIFFERENCE IN THE SOUND OF MY STEREO!![right][snapback]24524[/snapback][/right]

There are a whole load of settings for the HU803 that I found out about somewhere on the internet (can't remember where). I'm not sure if they apply to all of the 'HU' range but I've attached the file of information (Adobe Acrobat format) that I downloaded. All credits to the author obviously and I guess you play with the settings at your own risk.

As I mentioned in my previous post, my instructions for changing the Hidden Equalizer settings ONLY ACCESS THE EQUALIZER and NOT ANY of the other hidden radio menus. I can see no reason why anyone would want or need to change any of these other settings. If you are concerned about "messing up" your radio, don't worry. If you tend to have a tin ear, well then, this may not be for you but if you want to transform your flat sounding HU 613 radio into something more enjoyable, then give it a try.

This may work on other radios but I'm not sure. I know for sure that it works on the HU 613.

I'm military in the UK, and just bought a US specs V70 (literally 24 hours ago). Unfortunately the radio is set for US frequency steps (only odd-numbered decimal MHz steps for FM and 10 KHz steps for AM).

I found this thread and hoped the linked HU-803 hidden menus would work, but they do not (I have the HU-850 radio 6-CD changer).

Does anybody know the steps to switch this radio from US to European radio frequency steps?

With the radio off press and hold the disc 1-20 knob while at the same time switching the radio on. In a few seconds you will see three regions. You can release the 1-20 knob now. press it again to scroll through the regions until you are on the one you want. Now rotate the same knob once. You will see back and save. Press once and that's it !!

Had it installed today at the dealer: €11 for the software and €33 for labour. Works great!

The hidden menus mentioned in forums didn't save area settings permanently on my car. Every time you switched on the ignition the radio would reset to the factory default of the software package (in my case US)